Jim was born the son of Lafayette and Bertha Frances (Bridewell) Brown on March 8, 1912, in rural Baring. He attended grade school in rural Knox County and farmed there until he retired in the early 1970's.

On April 24, 1935, he married Iris Clouse in a garden wedding at his parent's home near Baring. To this union three children were born: Jimmy Dallas, Deloris Norene, and Margaret Joan.

On September 20, 1973, he married Grace Tague Parsons at Grace's home in Gorin. He became a loving stepfather to Grace's children Peggy, Cecil and Charles.

Jim was a member of the Gorin Christian Church. He spent most of his life a tiller of the soil, though he had many talents, including carpentry. He had a passion for gardening and became known for his talent of grafting fruit trees and growing a wide variety of flowers and vegetables. He was especially known for raising strawberries; over the years he became known as the Strawberry King. He enjoyed fishing, reading, and playing cards with his friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; five sisters; his first wife; and his son, Jimmy.

He is survived by his wife, Grace of Memphis; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Deloris) Dunn and Ms. Margaret Balfour, both of Clay Center, KS; a stepdaughter, Peggy Cumby of Quincy, IL; stepsons, Cecil Parsons and his wife Cheryl of Moberly and Charles Parsons of Bradenton, FL; six grandsons, Jeff, Rick and Tom Dunn; David Balfour; and Charles and Randy Brown; three step-grandsons, William and Bruce Parsons, and Brandon Cumby; five granddaughters, Lili Brown Blake, Brenda and Michelle Balfour, Teresa Dunn Duell, and Diane Dunn Nash; 12 great-grandchildren, Madisyn Balfour, Melissa and Michelle Duell; Kriston, Angela and Brandon Nash, and Aubree Dunn, Martina, Faylena and Ericka Blake, Justin and Heather Brown; four step-great-grandchildren, Logan Cumby, and Gracie, Katie and Lane Parsons; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 25, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. in the Gerth Funeral Chapel in Memphis, MO, with Jim Campbell officiating. Schelle Cooley and Kathy Campbell provided special music. Serving as pallbearers were Jeff Dunn, Rick Dunn, Tom Dunn, David Balfour, Charles Brown, Randy Brown, Brandon Cumby, William Parsons and Bruce Parsons. Memorials have been suggested to the Gorin Christian Church or to the American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to Gerth Funeral Service, 115 S. Main, Memphis, MO 63555. Interment was in the Pleasant Ridge/Slocum Cemetery in Greensburg, MO.